Complaints and student conduct
The Department of Governance and Legal Services is responsible for Student Conduct and the University Complaints Handling Procedure.
Complaints
Information on how to make a complaint can be found in the Complaints Handling Procedure.
Code of Student Conduct
The Code of Student Conduct focuses on the University’s expectations of positive student behaviour. It outlines behaviours that are not acceptable and can impact your studies. This includes:
- all forms of academic misconduct (cheating), including inappropriate use of AI, plagiarism, the use of a ghostwriter or other third party to write some or all an assessment on your behalf, cheating in exams and falsifying data or signatures of your supervisor or other staff
- inappropriate conduct including gender based violence; discriminatory, violent, bullying or harassing behaviour; theft; dishonesty; and behaviour resulting in criminal charges or conviction.
If you do not meet the required standards of behaviour, action will be taken in line with the Code of Student Conduct. You could be suspended, expelled or given penalties. This might mean you cannot receive your award.
A revised Code of Student Conduct for the Academic Year 2026/27 is available.
For conduct related to Academic Year 2025/26 or earlier, this version of the Code of Student Conduct will apply.
Student Guide to the Code of Student Conduct
The Student Guide to the Code of Student Conduct provides a short, easy to read summary of the Code of Student Conduct and is aimed at supporting all students in meeting the standards of behaviour required by the University. It outlines behaviours that are not considered acceptable, including cheating and behaving inappropriately to others, and gives information on the action that will be taken when there are concerns about behaviour. It also provides advice to students on how to avoid accidentally breaching the Code and where to seek advice and support. The online resource “Don’t Cheat Yourself” gives valuable information for students on how to ensure they abide by the University’s standards for academic integrity, and all students are encouraged to undertake it.
Further advice and guidance on the Code of Student Conduct is available by contacting the Department of Governance and Legal Services (studentconduct@gcu.ac.uk).
Student Guidance on the Acceptable use of GenAI
Guidance for students on the acceptable use of GenAI can be found here and all students are encouraged to familiarise themselves with it. If a student uses GenAI inappropriately it is likely to result in disciplinary action being taken in line with the Code of Student Conduct.
Academic misconduct in research degrees
Non-academic misconduct by postgraduate research degree students is governed by the Code of Student Conduct. The regulations and procedures for academic misconduct in research degrees can be accessed at Academic Misconduct in Research Degrees.